We'll always have Casablanca : the life, legend, and afterlife of Hollywood's most beloved movie

Casablanca was first released in 1942, just two weeks after the city of Casablanca itself surrendered to American troops led by General Patton. Featuring a pitch-perfect screenplay, a classic soundtrack, and unforgettable performances by Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, and a deep supporting cast, Casablanca was hailed in the New York Times as a picture that makes the spine tingle and the heart take a leap. The film won Oscars for best picture, best director, and best screenplay, and would go on to enjoy more revival screenings than any other movie in history. It became so firmly ensconced in the cultural imagination that, as Umberto Eco once said, Casablanca is not one movie; it is movies. Well Always Have Casablanca is celebrated film historian Noah Isenbergs rich account of this most beloved movies origins. Through extensive research and interviews with filmmakers, film critics, family members of the cast and crew, and diehard fans, Isenberg reveals the myths and realities behind Casablanca s production, exploring the transformation of the unproduced stage play into the classic screenplay, the controversial casting decisions, the battles with Production Code censors, and the effect of the wars progress on the movies reception. Isenberg particularly focuses on the central role refugees from Hitlers Europe played in the production (nearly all of the actors and actresses cast in Casablanca were immigrants). Filled with fresh insights into Casablanca s creation, production, and legacy, Well Always Have Casablanca is a magnificent account of what made the movie so popular and why it continues to dazzle audiences seventy-five years after its release. The Movie Casablanca Was First Released In 1942, Just Two Weeks After The City Itself Surrendered To American Troops Led By General Patton. The Film Won Oscars For Best Picture, Best Director, And Best Screenplay, And Would Go On To Enjoy More Revival Screenings Than Any Other Movie In History, And Become Firmly Ensconced In The American Cultural Imagination. Through Extensive Research And Interviews With Filmmakers, Critics, Family Members Of The Cast And Crew, And Diehard Fans, Isenberg Reveals The Myths And Realities Behind Casablanca's Production, Exploring The Transformation Of The Unproduced Stage Play Into The Classic Movie. Isenberg Particularly Focuses On The Central Role Refugees From Hitler's Europe Played On The Production--nearly All Of The Actors And Actresses Cast In Casablanca Were Immigrants. Filled With Fresh Insights, Isenberg's Book Is A Magnificent Account Of What Made This Movie So Popular And Why It Continues To Dazzle Audiences Seventy-five Years After Its Release. -- Introduction -- Everybody Comes To Rick's -- Usual Suspects -- I Stick My Neck Out For Nobody -- Such Much -- We'll Always Have Paris -- Play It Again -- A Beautiful Friendship. Noah Isenberg. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. "The movie Casablanca was first released in 1942, just two weeks after the city itself surrendered to American troops led by General Patton. The film won Oscars for best picture, best director, and best screenplay, and would go on to enjoy more revival screenings than any other movie in history, and become firmly ensconced in the American cultural imagination. Through extensive research and interviews with filmmakers, critics, family members of the cast and crew, and diehard fans, Isenberg reveals the myths and realities behind Casablanca's production, exploring the transformation of the unproduced stage play into the classic movie. Isenberg particularly focuses on the central role refugees from Hitler's Europe played on the production--nearly all of the actors and actresses cast in Casablanca were immigrants. Filled with fresh insights, Isenberg's book is a magnificent account of what made this movie so popular and why it continues to dazzle audiences seventy-five years after its release."-- from publisher website "We?ll Always Have Casablanca is celebrated film historian Noah Isenberg?s rich account of this most beloved movie?s origins. Through extensive research and interviews with filmmakers, film critics, family members of the cast and crew, and diehard fans, Isenberg reveals the myths and realities behind Casablanca?s production, exploring the transformation of the unproduced stage play into the classic screenplay, the controversial casting decisions, the battles with Production Code censors, and the effect of the war?s progress on the movie?s reception. Isenberg particularly focuses on the central role refugees from Hitler?s Europe played in the production (nearly all of the actors and actresses cast in Casablanca were immigrants)" -- Amazon.com A Los Angeles Times bestseller A New York Times Book Review “Editor’s Choice” Selection “Even the die-hardest Casablanca fan will find in this delightful book new ways to love the movie they were certain they could never love more.” —Sam Wasson, best-selling author of Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M. Casablanca is “not one movie,” Umberto Eco once quipped; “it is ‘movies.’” Film historian Noah Isenberg’s We’ll Always Have Casablanca offers a rich account of the film’s origins, the myths and realities behind its production, and the reasons it remains so revered today, over seventy-five years after its premiere.